I have an ordinary life and I love it! My ‘schedule’ has changed as the kids have
grown. Having a driver in the house has
reduced my taxi service job considerably.
But there is an order to my days of laundry, cleaning, cooking, working
outside the home and ministry.
So when I received a phone call to take me away from my
ordinary, it took my breath away. Here
were the facts that made it so breathtaking to me:
- I would be leaving in four days
- I would be gone for five days
- No other member of my family was coming with me
- Where I would be staying, there was no kitchen and laundry room – hallelujah!
- The room of the hotel overlooked water – peaceful
- I was going somewhere I had never been before and always wanted to go to – St. Simons Island, Georgia
- I would be traveling with one of my newest and dearest friends
- She told me there would be shopping and no cooking
- She informed me that all my expenses were paid
- I checked the weather and our destination did not have rain in the forecast
Now at this moment, it had been raining in my part of
Georgia for six days. It continued to
rain every day until I left. I was
informed that it rained every day I was gone.
Upon my return it was still raining and has rained every day I have been
back. I am OVER the rain. But for five days – I escaped it (with a few
exceptions while we were on the interstate.)
Now as we know, nothing in life is completely free. There were some strings to this incredible
trip to St. Simons. But they were
strings I could totally live with. For
this trip, at its core, was in honor of Andrew - Tim & Kecia’s son. He had celebrated his 17th
birthday the week before. The tradition
for his birthday was to get his friends together and go on a trip/get-away. This year the adventure was the Georgia
coast. Andrew has many friends. So many, they don’t all fit in Kecia’s car. Therefore, my van was needed. Taking four teen boys on vacation without an
extra adult could be tricky. So I was the
extra chaperone. And Kecia has openly
and lovingly admitted that she is terrible with directions. The girl does not lie. So I was the person who kept us
“un-lost”. I was more than happy to step
up to my duties in exchange for what awaited me … the incredible beauty that is
St. Simons Island.
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| Sunset at Epworth by the Sea |
Kecia’s husband booked us a place to stay at Epworth by the
Sea. You can see the complex as you
cross the causeway onto the island. This
is a conference center and camp area run by the Methodist church. Those Methodist really know how to put on a
retreat/camp. I was careful to not
mention out loud to anyone walking around who might hear me that I was a
Baptist. However on the last day there,
we saw where a big Baptist youth group had showed up for camp. Too bad I had to miss the fun!
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| Mystery sailboat |
Our room overlooked the coastal waterway. Anchored outside was this beautiful
sailboat. It was there during our entire
visit. It piqued our curiosity as to
what it was doing there. I made up a
story that some famous writer was on the boat, where they had peace and quiet
and were writing the next great novel.
 | |
| Lovely Lane Chapel |
Kecia had been here before so one night she took me on a
tour of the grounds. There were a few Tabby
slave cabins (the entire campus had once been a cotton plantation) a little,
doll house sized chapel, a normal sized chapel and the retreat buildings. Many places to sit, rest and watch the
amazing sunset. We even found some
rocking chairs. We watched a heron that
night get his evening meal and were amazed at all the little lizards/geckos
running around. A couple was having
their engagement pictures made. What a
nice evening.
It did not take long to discover Pier Village. We landed there the night of our
arrival. A big festival was taking place
and people were everywhere. The sun was
setting and it was majestic. I saw the
lighthouse and got a feel for the place.
Lots of restaurants and stores.
Happy, happy, happy! | |
| Outside the 4th of May |
Since the trip was for Andrew and he was allowed, within
reason, to do what he wanted, the boy's schedule and the momma's schedule did not
sync – at all! When we slept, they were
awake. When we were awake, they
slept. While they were sleeping, we
conqured St. Simons with vigor.
Breakfast for three of the mornings was at “The 4th of May”. The pumpkin muffins were out of this world
delicious. The other morning, Kecia
treated me to brunch at “The King and Prince”.
The best part of this meal was definitely the view - in a grand dining
room right on the beach. More
beautifulness!
Two of our meals were at “Barbara Jeans”. I had a crab cake that was perfection. They are Kecia’s favorite and I see why. There was also a dessert called ‘chocolate
stuff’. Sin in a bowl and I prayed over
every bite!
I had the best fried shrimp one night at a place called “Iguanas”,
next door to the 4th. And
pizza at a little joint called “CJ’s”
The boys liked it so much they ate there twice. This was not your normal run-of- the-meal
pizza.
Kecia and I took in the St. Simons Trolley Tour – great
value. Our tour guide, Bunny, really
knew her stuff. I enjoyed learning more
about the history of the island, seeing the historic sites and hearing some of
the things the history books don’t tell you.
My favorites were the Live Oak Carriage Lane that lead up to the
entrance of a former plantation home.
Seeing the places where the Wesley brothers preached and dwelled. After the tour, we went back and walked
through Christ Church and the cemetery.
Kecia was especially happy to finally find the grave of Eugenia
Price. Kecia has now given me my reading
material for my next vacation – I will be reading Eugenia Price’s books!
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| On the trolley |
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| Live Oaks |
An unexpected treat for us ladies was getting to ride on the boat with the boys when they went out to jet ski. This was for insurance purposes but we took advantage of the fun. Our captain, Jim, was quite a character. He definitely knew his stuff when it came to boats and water. He informed us of the long process to become an official boat captain. He had some witty and not so witty stories to tell. And I had not been flirted with like that since I was a teenager. Yep, what a boat ride! The boys loved every moment being on the jet skis.
We ventured over to Jekyll. The boys took in the water park, which they
conquered in a few short hours. Kecia
and I had our hearts set on the Turtle hospital and a historic trolley tour. We missed getting to see both on our original
day there so we went back. The turtle
hospital was a neat treat and the Island Historic Tour was another one of those
behind the scenes, hear about the stuff not in history books deal. The highlight of the tour was walking through
the Roosevelt ‘cottage’. I think it is
so charming how they called their homes cottages. Makes me wonder how big the houses up north
really were. There were little shops to
walk through and Kecia found a gem for her home. Otherwise, that was all there was to
Jekyll.
Us girls managed to visit every shop in Pier Village. We did it over a few days. Had to work around the crazy shop hours - but
we did it! And the boys did as well,
just not with us.
Time was ticking and we realized we had not made it to the
actual beach yet. Believe it or not, the
boys did not want to go. That did not
stop us - we packed up and headed that way.
We arrived after six, a time when dogs are allowed on the beach. This was very fun and entertaining. The canines were swimming in the waves,
fetching tennis balls, walking around, coming up to us to be petted and overall
having as much fun as the humans. I
truly enjoyed watching the interaction of man and best friend that evening as
we sat, just sat, and enjoyed the sun, sand, wind and waves. Glorious!
When we left the beach, we continued with our side hobby of
finding real estate for Tim to invest in.
Beautiful beach front homes for sale, potential business space for rent
… hey, we can dream!
We awoke on Tuesday, packed and checked-out. We stopped for a late breakfast and last
minute shopping at the Pier. This was
the only time the boys ate breakfast with us.
They wanted to stop at the outlet stores on the way home and do some
shopping. Turns out, boys like to shop
as much as girls when the mood is just right.
Kecia and I did not mind – we got some practical things for our
kitchens. And then, across the way, a store
beckoned us to enter. Our intent was
pure. We are ONLY going to look and enjoy with our eyes the things we can
never own. So we stepped through the
doors into a store called “Coach”. We were immediately welcomed at the door by a
friendly sales lady who handed us the paper of gold – a 50% coupon off any item
in the store. Well that is so nice, but
I still cannot afford Coach at half off – WAY out of my budget. We made our way to the back of the store and
the clearance section – 40% off. Being
curious I asked the sales lady, “Does the coupon get me an additional 50% off
the 40%?” Why yes, yes it does! This was very happy news, but I truly did
not need a new purse. I currently own a
Stone Mountain Leather handbag that was not cheap and has held up well through
the years. It serves my needs and I MUST
be practical. However, on the clearance
table was something that caught my eye – a beach towel. Don’t laugh.
I still own the beach towel I received as a graduation present from high
school. I only have one really nice one. The kids are always fighting over it. They can have it now, this one is MINE!!
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| Original retail price was $98. Yep, for a towel! Marked down to $89, 40% off that price, then 50% off that price made the bottom line for this beauty $25 smackeroos. I can’t wait to take it to the pool! It is the softest towel I have ever owned. |
Well what about Kecia?
Bless her heart, she had this old handbag that was wearing out. What is a girl to do? She bought herself a new Coach purse! It is beautiful and they practically paid her
to take it out of the store. Her husband
will barely notice a bump on the credit card statement …
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| The Birthday Boy |
On the ride home it finally occurred to me. I am relaxed, re-fueled and energized. I did not know I needed a break from my
ordinary day until I took a break from my ordinary day. There is something about not cooking,
cleaning, doing laundry, and being on the computer for a few days in a row that
rejuvenated this momma. It was a HUGE
blessing!
I have many, many things to be thankful for; but for this
particular post, I am thankful for the blessing of a sweet friend, her husband
and the opportunity to get away from it all for a few days. Oh and a 17-year-old young man. After all, it was his birthday!
Tell me your favorite things from your trip to St.
Simons.
